Causes of Low Testosterone

Low Testosterone, medically known as hypogonadism, is a real medical condition that can occur for a number of reasons. For example, there could be a signaling problem between your brain and testes that is causing the production of testosterone to drop too low. Low Testosterone can also occur when your body can’t make normal levels of testosterone in the normal range. Let’s take a look at two different types of hypogonadism:

Primary Hypogonadism

Primary Hypogonadism can result from infection, injury or other damage of the testicles. It is also believed that reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a normal byproduct of testosterone synthesis, can over time cause damage to the Leydig cells that produce testosterone. There are some rare genetic abnormalities (Klinefelter syndrome) that can also cause primary testicular failure.

Secondary Hypogonadism

Secondary hypogonadism can result from any disturbance of the hypothalamic pituitary system such as stress, sleep disturbances such as shift worker syndrome, hypothyroidism, and any condition that can elevate prolactin levels such as prolactinomas, etc. Obesity, medications such as narcotic pain medications, and conditions that cause chronic inflammation are also known causes. There are also genetic abnormalities that can cause this type of deficiency as well.

Hemochromatosis, an iron storage disease, has the potential to cause either primary or secondary hypogonadism.